&imwidth=800&imheight=600&format=webp&quality=medium "Trump announces 'Trump-class' warships, breaking THIS decades-old US military tradition")
US President Donald Trump on Monday (Dec 22) unveiled plans for a new class of heavily armed US warships that will be named after him. The move breaks a long-standing military tradition, where such honours are typically reserved for leaders after they leave office. It comes on the heels of another narcissistic honour Trump granted himself: the renaming of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to "The Donald J Trump and the John F Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts".
Trump-class warships: What we know
Speaking at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, Trump said the first two vessels, to be known as the Trump-class, would be built initially, with the possibility of many more to follow. He described the ships as "some of the most lethal surface warfare ships" and claimed they would be "the largest battleship in the history of our country."
Trump was joined at the announcement by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Navy Secretary John Phelan, as images of the proposed vessels were displayed nearby. The president said the ships would displace between 30,000 and 40,000 tonnes and feature an array of advanced weaponry, including missiles, heavy guns, lasers and hypersonic systems that are still under development.
He also said the ships would be capable of carrying nuclear-armed sea-launched cruise missiles, significantly expanding their strategic role. The Trump-class vessels would be substantially larger than current US destroyers and cruisers, though still smaller than the retired Iowa-class battleships, which were phased out in the 1990s. Trump added that he would personally take an interest in the ships' design, saying aesthetics mattered to him as much as firepower.
Trending Stories
)
The Early Spring is proof not everyone can talk about their real feelings, and it is perfectly OK
)
UN votes to ‘correct the map’ as India backs fairer world view
)
Nigerian Navy discovers 99,000 litres of suspected stolen, illegally refined products as it intensifies anti-crude oil theft operations
)
Who is Aditi Paudel? 17-year-old becomes Japan's first literacy ambassador
)
Bengaluru: Officials find 40 kg expired chilli at chairman's club
)
Jaishankar rejects trade link to ending Ukraine war
)
Israeli strikes on Lebanon kill three, injure 23 despite truce
)
Alpine glacier was covered with sheep wool sheets to prevent melting. It worked
)
South Korea mulls deploying military assets to Strait of Hormuz
)
World's fifth-largest economy, British army can't afford to train
)
Breaking | Vance takes the podium: First White House briefing since Leavitt's exit
)
Taiwan raises 'concerns' over China's missile test
)
BRICS 2026: $1 trillion sovereign capital set to converge in Delhi for first iBRICS Summit
)
What is Iran's Pickaxe Mountain that Trump has again threatened to bomb?
)
UN votes to correct world map that visually shrank Africa for 450 years
)
Former NewJeans member Danielle launches YouTube channel, hints at new solo journey
)
Bangladesh batter Towhid Hridoy creates history with 350 not out in South Africa
)
Brendan Fraser’s transformation fuels The Mummy 4 excitement as fans welcome back Rick O’Connell
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Krishna Janmashtami 2026: From Dhaniya Panjiri to Makhana Kheer- 5 best sweet dishes perfect for celebrating Lord Krishna’s birth
)
Donald Trump plans to travel to Ireland on Qatari-donated jet amid security concerns
)
Nazi-looted art to return to Jewish heirs
)
Eight killed in Kerala’s Thrissur after car rams into lorry parked on highway
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why Russian fighter jets use bulky, low-pressure tyres compared to US jets
)
FBI-wanted fraud accused arrested in Jalandhar over $600,000 scam
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why US tanks weigh over 20 tons more than Russian tanks
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New Friday OTT releases (September 4, 2026): GDN, Dhamaal 4, Jagamae Sangeetham- Watch 6 new movies and TV shows on Netflix, Prime Video and more
)
Killing the Himalayas slowly: Human urine is melting a glacier on Mount Everest
Are Trump-class warships actually anti-China warships?
When asked whether the move was aimed at countering China, Trump played it down. "It's a counter to everybody, it's not China. We get along great with China."
US officials have repeatedly warned that Washington is falling behind Beijing in overall fleet size, with China producing warships at a far faster pace. A recent report to Congress highlighted growing concern within the Pentagon over the balance of naval power.
"We're going to restore America as a major shipbuilding power," Trump said. "We're going to ensure the USA has the most powerful fleet anywhere in the world, and long into the future, with battleships helping lead the way."
